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BT Network trains for bioterrorism threats

Since Sept. 11, 2001, America faced the threat of additional attacks by terrorists as well as increased concerns about covert bioterrorism and naturally occurring biologic threats such as SARS and West Nile virus. If health care professionals lack knowledge about the syndromes caused by biological agents or are unprepared to recognize and respond appropriately, an attack could go unrecognized with disastrous results.

In an effort to prepare for potential bioterrorism attacks, the Bioterrorism and Public Health Emergencies Training Network (BT Network) was established to address the training needs of practicing health care professionals for the recognition of and response to bioterrorism and public health emergencies. 

The network is a collaboration of many partners in South Carolina and is funded through a two-year, $2.1 million grant awarded to the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (SC AHEC) by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The targeted groups are primary care physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists, social/mental health professionals, and emergency medical workers. 

“Even though bioterrorism is unthinkable or seems unlikely, the same patterns of response to a terrorist event are needed in times of natural disasters, epidemics and accidental catastrophes,” explains David R. Garr, M.D., executive director, SC AHEC.

The specific risks identified by the BT Network in South Carolina include nuclear power facilities, military installations, and busy container ports.  Recently, traces of the biological toxin ricin were found in a U.S. Post Office in the upstate of South Carolina and a 9/11 terrorist and enemy combatant were jailed at the Naval Depot Brig in Charleston. Unique concern may be the threat to our food production and animal resources.

“South Carolina's rural nature makes the opportunity for agro-terrorism greater,”  said MUSC's William Simpson, M.D., medical director of the S.C. Agromedicine Program “The large number of small farms with limited amounts of time and money to devote to security makes our state a potential target.”

Improved training and coordination are essential for a successful South Carolina response in the event of an attack. 

“Our major task as health educators is to provide the environment in which front line practitioners can share their knowledge, training, and experience on how to respond to situations that may not have arisen before,” said Ralph Shealy, M.D., director of Charleston County Emergency Services and co-director of the S.C. AHEC Bioterrorism Network. 

“Since 9/11, the federal government provided billions of dollars in the United States for homeland security and bioterrorism preparedness,” said Beth Kennedy, BT Network project director.  “We, in South Carolina, are fortunate to have received millions of dollars for hospital preparedness, public health awareness and now, health professional training.”

The SC AHEC Bioterrorism Network conducted Bioterrorism 101 workshops for more than 3,500 health care professionals. Bioterrorism 101 modules were developed that cover topics such as specific chemical and biological agents with terrorism potential, strategies to recognize, report and respond to terrorist events, critical steps to take when an event occurs, and insight into potential roles of community health care providers in emergencies.

“The fundamental issue we need to convey is that public health emergencies can happen any time, any place,” Garr said. “Health care professionals have a responsibility to receive this kind of training, so we’ll have a much better prepared front-line work force.”

Information regarding bioterrorism continuing education can be obtained from your local AHEC office or by contacting the AHEC Program Office at 792-4431. Online educational resources and additional information are available at http://www.scahec.net by clicking on the bioterrorism shield.

For information about the upcoming conferences visit 
http://www.scahec.net

Bioterrorism Update for Pharmacists
Saturday, Aug. 28
Seawell's Banquet Center
1125 Rosewood Drive, Columbia
(803) 777-0869

Be Prepared for the Unthinkable: What Every Nurse Needs to Know
Friday, Sept. 10
Holiday Inn Patriot's Point
250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant
(843) 792-4431

Friday, Aug. 27, 2004
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.